Tops in Blue visits Keesler

Published Nov. 3, 2014
By By Airman 1st Class Duncan McElroy
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- As part of its 60th anniversary celebration, Tops in Blue performed at the Levitow Training Support Facility Drill Pad for approximately 500 active duty, reserve and retired military members and their families Nov. 1.

Established in 1953 by Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Alvin E. Reilly, Tops in Blue was originally known as the Air Force Worldwide Talent Contest. It allowed Airmen from all different career fields to show off their unique skills and compete to be the best in the world. Today, Tops in Blue is less a contest and more a traveling concert that's always on the move, performing at home, abroad and in deployed environments.

The mission of these Airmen is simple, yet important - to improve morale and boost the spirits of their wingmen.

"We help bring morale to people who are away from their families," said Staff Sgt. Jamal Young, 14th Air Support Operations Squadrons RF transmissions systems technician, Pope Army Air Field, North Carolina, and Tops in Blue vocalist. "It helps take your mind off whatever you're dealing with."

Tops in Blue performers often have 12- to 16-hour days rehearsing, traveling, setting up, performing, and tearing down the sets. They act as their own roadies, building the sets before preforming on them later in the day.

While performing all around the world for fellow service members may be a dream job for these artistic Airmen, it's not without its ups and downs.

"My favorite part about performing is seeing the smiles and enthusiasm in people," said Master Sgt. Alonzo Deon III, 56th Rescue Squadron avionics technician, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England and Tops in Blue trumpeter. "Seeing the veterans and the pride in their eyes, especially during the patriotic sets we play is the most rewarding part, just being able to celebrate being American."

"The crowd's reaction to the show is my favorite part," Young said.

Deon said the toughest part of being with Tops in Blue is constantly being under the public eye.

"Being under what we call the 'fishbowl' is the hardest part," he said. "We're always on duty, always traveling and trying to set the right example because we're always visible."

"We're usually on the road for around seven months - being away from your family is the hardest part for me," said Young. "These people sort of become your family - but it's still hard."

Becoming a part of Tops in Blue is no easy task either. Members have to be the best-of-the-best and must go through an auditioning process to be considered.

"Know you can do it," said Deon. "Get in contact with Air Force Entertainment; they'll let you know where you are and what you need to work on. It's not necessarily how great of a player you are, but how well you fit in as a team member and adapt.

"Believe in yourself, know when to push that button and do it. I didn't think I was good enough to play, but I believed in myself and the opportunity showed itself"

"You just have to do it," said Young. "I thought I wasn't good enough, but here I am."

Many of Tops in Blue's performers have been playing music since a young age. For Deon, playing the trumpet was a passion of his until life caught up and he took a seven-year break from playing.

That is, until he came to Keesler in 2001 for technical school.

"This is the first time I've been back here since tech school," he said. "I was here for nine months in 2001, when 9/11 happened, playing in a praise and worship band. [Keesler] is where my music career in the Air Force started."

"I heard from a friend that Tops in Blue needed to fill some positions, so I did a phone audition last September," he remembered. "I'm so grateful for the opportunity to still be able to play."

"This is my sixth Tops in Blue in the audience and it's the fourth one I've hosted," said Brig. Gen. Patrick Higby, 81st Training Wing commander. "Each year it's different; each year it's remarkable. These are Airmen that have some truly unique talents, and it ultimately comes down to the Air Force Family entertaining the Air Force family."

For more information on their tour schedule or how to become a member of Tops in Blue, visit www.topsinblue.com or www.facebook.com/topsinblue.